Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to the witnesses for the delay in beginning the meeting. There were a number of items of private business to attend to.
I welcome everybody to the meeting which is focused on the pre-budget submissions of nine groups and which is divided into two parts. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that mobile phones should be switched off in order that there is no interference in the work of the broadcast unit.
Today's meeting is an opportunity for us to listen to and discuss the pre-budget submissions from various community and voluntary groups working in the health and children sector. We took a decision as a committee that as we are always heading to meetings on pre-budget submissions and budget 2013 is of great importance, we would listen to what the groups have to say in the context of putting the country's public finances back on a sustainable footing. It is in all our interests that the public finances are stabilised and the economy returns to growth. It is also an opportunity for us as parliamentarians to meet the groups, commend them on their work and thank them for the tremendous service they provide. In education and advocacy, the groups play a significant role in society, and that is to be acknowledged. The process of this pre-budget engagement will elevate their status outside the House when they can be here in the parliamentary committee making a formal presentation.
I am conscious there are nine groups. Members are used to a time limit of five minutes and I ask the groups to confine themselves to five minutes. We have received their pre-budget submissions. I ask them to make their remarks in five minutes to allow for discussion and interaction.
I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such as way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I welcome Mr. Chris Macey, head of advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation, and Mr. John McCormack of the Irish Cancer Society. Mr. Macey has five minutes.